Trump has planned to reopen Alkatraz ‘Society of Society’: 10 things to learn about the notorious jail
President Donald Trump on Monday called for reconstruction and reopening the infamous Alkatraz Jail as part of the widespread rift on violent crime. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, “Reconstruction, and open Alkatraz!” And “vicious, violent and repeated criminal criminals” were criticized as “The Drags of Society”.
He argued that when America was a “more serious nation”, dangerous criminals were closed without any hesitation, “it should have been the way.” Trump announced that he was instructing the “Justice Department, FBI and Homeland Security to” reopen and rebuild “Alcatraz” to give home to the country’s most dangerous criminals.
Often referred to as “The Rock”, Alkatraz was one of the most notorious federal peninsulas in the United States, Al Capone and George “Machine Gun” Housing Criminals like Kelly. Located on a rocky island in San Francisco Bay, it operated from 1934 to 1963 before closing due to high maintenance costs and logical challenges.
Here are 10 things to learn about Alkatraz:
- The name Alkatraz comes from the Spanish “Alcatress”, meaning Pelican or strange bird. It was named in 1775 by Explorer Juan Manual D Ayla. In 1850, the island was separated for military use and became part of the “triangle” of defense for San Francisco Gulf. It also placed the first lighthouse of the West Coast.
- The US Army built a fort on the island in the 1850s and later used it as a military jail. Between 1909 and 1911, the prisoners themselves helped build a new prison building.
- Alkatraz became a federal peninsula in 1934, which was aimed at “worst” prisoners – which caused trouble in other federal features.
- Notable prisoners included Mob Boss al Capone, Kidnapper George “Machine Gun” Kelly, and murderer Robert Strawud, known as Birdman of Alkatraz.
- The circumstances were harsh. Most cells were just 9 feet 5 feet with minimal decoration. However, the prisoners received hot rainfall and were fed some great food in the US prison system.
- The most famous migration attempt was in 1962 when Frank Morris and Brothers John and Clarence Anglin disappeared from their cells. He used a fleet made of raincoat. Although drowned, no body was ever found.
- Alkatraz was a self-contained community. Around 300 citizens, including the guards and their families, lived on the island. The children who lived there took a boat to go to school every day to go to school.
- The prison was closed in 1963, not due to escape, but rather due to its extreme operational cost. It was three times more expensive than other federal prisons.
- After the closure, the island saw a business in 1969 by the original American activists, which lasted for 19 months and ended in a federal eviction.
- Today, Alkatraz is a major tourist attraction, attracting approximately 1.4 million visitors each year. It is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area and includes historical buildings, gardens and a lighthouse.
